Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/264

 246 "Very well, Colonel; I shall certainly take her your message," she said gaily, "and I thank you so much."

Her fingers released the latch, leaving the door standing ajar.

"Oh, sentry," she said pleasantly, but with guarded voice, "I know it is perfectly ridiculous, but a strand of hair has become entangled in this clasp. Would you kindly see if you can free it?"

"Certainly, Miss."

I heard him set down his musket against the wall, and step forward.

"On the other side," she suggested. "If you turn this way you will get the benefit of the light; it is caught in those crossed sabers, I think."

She stepped back as I gripped him, steadying the musket to keep it from being jarred to the floor. A gasp was all the sound he gave—a gasp, and one convulsive effort to break loose; but with the first jerk backward I had him off his feet, helpless, my arm circling his throat, holding him in a vise. I dragged him forward through the door, and flung him to the floor face downward.

"Not a cry, son," I commanded sternly. "I'll not shoot unless I have to. You are no worse off than your colonel. Hand me the rope cord in that upper desk drawer, Noreen; yes, that's it. Now,